Local NPR Station Features Alumna Leading Sustainability Efforts at Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Keeping it sustainable at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

February 19, 2013

“Achieving zero-waste is no small feat, especially for a multi-day event that takes place on three golf courses and draws thousands of spectators,” said Krista Almanzan, news director at local NPR station KAZU, in a February 14 feature about efforts to divert waste at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament. Leading the way was recent graduate of the International Environmental Policy program at MIIS Abbie Beane (MAIEP ’12), who is now the director of sustainability programs for the Offset Project.

As explained in the KAZU story, even though it is called “Zero-Waste,” 90 percent diversion—or managing to recycle, compost or re-purpose 90 percent of the waste from an event—is considered the gold standard. Last year the Pro-Am diverted 65 percent of its waste, but in her interview, Abbie explains what measures she and her team took to increase the level to their goal of 75 to 80 percent. The Offset Project has achieved 90 percent diversion with other local events, and Abbie is already making plans for next year to meet higher goals. We expect nothing less from our graduates, who have shown time and time again that they are up to the task and ready to take on big challenges in their chosen field from day one.